Cacti–shrub interactions in the coastal desert of northern Sinaloa, Mexico

Spatial patterns and replacement in ten cacti were studied on an island of the coastal desert of Sinaloa, México. Four platyopuntias had 74–92% of their individuals beneath shrub canopies, whereas three globose cacti, one columnar cactus and two cylindropuntias had similar or higher percentages of individuals in open spaces. This study advances the idea that open-space colonization is enhanced by less harsh physical and biotic conditions in coastal deserts, and by certain morphological and physiological adaptations of cacti. The absence of nurse-shrub replacement is understood as a result of induced co-existence by physical damage from cyclones in the coastal zone.     

Luxury Tourism and Regional Economic Development in Mexico

This article argues that little attention has been paid to the territorial and socioeconomic impact of consumer–service globalization on Third World countries. It specifically examines the economic role of tourism in Mexico and its limited effect on the country's regional development. Despite governmental support in order to enhance economic growth, currency receipts, and employment, tourism contributes less than 5 percent to the gross domestic product, and the majority of tourism–related jobs are precarious and low–skilled. The promotion of luxury resorts in coastal areas has led to highly concentrated and fast–growing enclaves of mainly foreign investment. However, this strategy has failed to stimulate productive links between tourist centers and their hinterlands and has led to large–scale urbanization characterized by a considerable lack of basic services for the resident population.     

Late Glacial and Holocene environmental history of the Pirin Mountains (SW Bulgaria): a paleolimnological study of Lake Dalgoto (2310 m)

Diatoms, Cladocera, and chironomids preserved in the sediments of Lake Dalgoto were studied to reconstruct the history of the lake ecosystem in the context of the vegetation history as represented by the pollen stratigraphy. Younger Dryas silty sediments at the base of the core are characterized by low diversity of aquatic organisms. The transition to the Holocene is indicated by a sharp change from silt to clay-gyttja. The migration and expansion of trees at lower elevations between 10200 and 8500 ¹⁴C-yr BP, along with higher diversities and concentrations of aquatic organisms and the decreased proportion of north-alpine diatoms, point to rapidly rising summer temperatures. After 6500 ¹⁴C-yr BP the expansion of Pinus mugo in the catchment coincides with signs of natural eutrophication as recorded by an increase of planktonic diatoms. In the late Holocene (4000–0 ¹⁴C-yr BP) Pinus peuce and Abies are reduced and Picea expands. Cereal grains and disturbance indicators suggest late-Holocene human modification of the vegetation.     

Managed relocation: an assessment of its feasibility as a coastal management option

Managed relocation is explained and examined as an option to add to the usual categories considered in relation to managing coastal erosion. The paper considers the relocation of buildings in one unit, as opposed to demolition and re-construction. The standard coastal erosion management options are briefly noted and how managed relocation can fit into these options is explained. This paper focuses on four case studies. Two examples are from the USA and two from the UK; of these, two (one in each of the UK and USA) took place during the nineteenth century. Managed relocation is proposed as being feasible in particular cases, particularly where there are isolated historic or high value buildings.     

胶茶人工群落在改善山地土壤生态环境上的作用

经过多年的实践和研究结果表明，橡胶(Hevea brasiliensis)—茶树(Camellia sinensis)两层人工群落结构，比单一橡胶种植模式有着明显的改善山地土壤生态环境的特点。胶—茶人工群落对减少水土流失，改善土壤微生物状况，增强土壤地表呼吸强度，促进团聚体形成和提高土壤肥力以及增加单产等方面，均有显著的效果。因此，胶—茶人工群落为合理利用我国西部热带山地资源，开辟了一条新的经营种植模式。     

西藏地质环境问题及保护对策

作为青藏高原主体的西藏自治区,地质环境极为复杂,地质灾害相当严重,在一些地段地质灾害严重影响了人们正常的生产生活。因此,加强地质环境保护,为人们创造尽可能好的生产和生活空间,是各级政府义不容辞的责任。本文首先对西藏自治区的地质环境特征作了系统地分析,并对西藏地质环境保护及管理现状作了客观评述,在此基础上指出了西藏地质环境保护中存在的主要问题。最后提出了西藏地质环境保护的对策及建议。     

南极无冰区典型沉积环境石英砂表面结构特征及其在沉积环境识别中的应用

本文利用电镜扫描方法 (SEM)对比分析了南极乔治王岛无冰区海滩沉积、冰碛物以及阿德雷岛湖泊沉积等典型沉积环境中的石英砂表面结构特征 ,得出了乔治王岛各典型沉积环境中石英砂表面结构特征的颗粒频率曲线。结果表明 :不同沉积环境下的石英砂颗粒表面结构特征具有相似性 ,这主要和南极地区广泛发育的冰川作用有关 ,同时 ,它们也有各自典型的特征组合 ,这些典型特征组合的不同反映了石英砂后期的搬运历史和沉积环境的差异。本文还依据石英砂表面特征的颗粒出现频率 ,利用聚类分析方法对研究区内三级海岸阶地上的沉积物和一个未知成因的样品进行了沉积环境的判别分析 ,结果证明石英砂微形貌特征可以作为南极地区沉积环境识别的有效手段     

北极海冰细菌产胞外酶及主要环境因子的初步研究

覆盖在北极海洋上的广阔海冰为其内部生存的微生物群落提供了一个独特的生境。研究表明 ,大量海冰细菌能够分泌产生胞外酶 ,其中产蛋白或脂质水解酶细菌的比例远高于产多糖水解酶的细菌。温度、盐度是直接影响海冰细菌生存与活力的 2个主要环境因子。 76%的产酪蛋白酶海冰细菌为低温菌 ,菌株只能在 <35°C条件下生长 ;而 98%的酪蛋白酶最适作用温度≥ 35°C ,其中 62 %的酶最适作用温度≥ 45°C。几乎所有的产酪蛋白酶海冰细菌都耐盐或嗜盐     

省级空间信息基础设施建设的意义及途径--以西藏自治区为例

省级空间信息基础设施建设是实现信息化资源、经济、环境管理的基础,但省级空间信息基础设施发展是一项具有战略性的巨型系统工程,跨区域、跨部门、跨学科,其建设和部署必须有统一的领导和安排。文章以西藏自治区为例,根据西藏自治区目前信息化发展现状,探讨了西藏自治区省级空间信息基础设施建设的途径及意义,认为西藏省级空间信息基础设施建设的第一步是提出项目建设的框架及规划,其次根据信息化发展现状及投资力度,制订近期、中长期目标及建设内容,然后根据规划分阶段实施。最后文章讨论了西藏实施省级空间信息的重要意义,为实现西藏电子政府、指导区域经济发展提供依据。     

晚更新世以来青海北部的人类活动与湖泊演变

作为高海拔生态环境的青海北部是青藏高原的重要组成部分。晚更新世晚期以来 ,青海北部气候环境一直处于冷暖、干湿波动过程之中 ,湖泊水域也发生了相应的扩张和收缩 ,成为高原人类迁移和发展的自然背景。约 3 0kaB .P .,在晚期智人出现和迁徙的关键时期 ,青海北部开始有了最早的人类活动 ;更新世末—全新世初 ,气候转暖 ,古人类再次来到青海北部 ;进入全新世中期 ,气候暖湿 ,湖水位回升 ,细石器技术变得十分普通 ,青海北部的人类活动渐趋频繁。